The Toronto Blue Jays are set to make a move to their pitching staff.
Toronto dropped the final game of a three-game series at home to the Los Angeles Angels, where left-hander Eric Lauer struggled once again. Although the Blue Jays did win the series, Toronto is set to make a pitching move.
MLB insider Francys Romero reported on X that the Blue Jays are set to call up Yariel Rodriguez from Triple-A Buffalo.
“Sources: The Toronto Blue Jays are calling right-hander Yariel Rodríguez back up to MLB. It’s still unclear when he will be officially activated, but he is expected to join the team tomorrow. Rodriguez posted a 2.63 ERA in Triple-A Buffalo, with 25 SO over 13.2 innings,” Romero wrote on X.
What the corresponding roster move for Rodriguez is uncertain, but Toronto will need to add him to its 40-man roster.
The Blue Jays signed Rodriguez to a five-year, $32 million deal, but after his struggles in the second half of the year and in the playoffs, the Blue Jays DFA’d him in the offseason.
Rodriguez is 4-10 with a 3.83 ERA in 87 career games, including 22 starts.
Blue Jays DFA’d Rodriguez in Offseason
Toronto signed Rodriguez out of Cuba to potentially be a starter or an impact reliever.
However, he struggled in the second half of the year, which led to him being DFA’d. It was a surprising move, but at the time, Blue Jays reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith thought it was a necessary move.
“We can deduce a few things from the Yariel move: 1) 29 teams passed on claiming Rodriguez ($17M over next 3 years). 2) Blue Jays would have been OK to see him leave for no return. 3) Jays prefer to have Rodriguez off the 40-man, freeing up valuable space for someone else,” Nicholson-Smith reported. … Next steps for Yariel Rodriguez. He remains in the Blue Jays’ organization as of now. Barring a change would arrive at spring training and attempt to earn a job like any non-roster player. If the Blue Jays want to, they can select his contract onto the 40-man roster again.”
After impressing in Triple-A, the Blue Jays are making a move to activate Rodriguez. What pitcher will be going down is uncertain, but Toronto is making a move to its pitching staff.
Fans React to Rodriguez Being Called Up
Following Romero’s report on Sunday, Blue Jays fans were excited to see Rodriguez back in action again. Many fans are also hoping Lauer will be DFA’d as a result.
“He’s been good lately in Buffalo. Hopefully it means Eric Lauer is gone! Could care less about the lefty, righty thing, it’s can you get outs!,” a fan wrote.
“Solid numbers in Triple-A and a strong ERA like that usually earns a quick look back at the MLB level,” a fan added.
“Brendon little and Lauer is way worse,” a fan wrote.
“Unless there’s another undisclosed injury, this HAS to be the end of Eric Lauer right?,” a fan wrote.
“Jays have 39 players on the 40 man, and YRod will need to be added. They also have 13 pitchers, so a pitcher will have to go. I’d imagine we’ve seen the last of Lauer for a while,” a fan added.
The Blue Jays will host the Tampa Bay Rays for a three-game series beginning on Monday.
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